Sliding closure hopper closure outlet assembly



Aug. 13, 1963 G. B. DOREY 3,100,457

SLIDING CLOSURE HOPPER CLOSURE OUTLET ASSEMBLY Filed March 16. 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet l G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, 1963 SLIDING CLOSURE HOPPER CLOSURE OUTLET ASSEMBLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16. 1961 INVENTOR. @e0/fg@ [j 50H39. BY M www! G. B. DOREY 3,100,457

SLIDING cLosURE HOPPER cLosURE OUTLET ASSEMBLY Aug. 13, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 16. 1961 QQ@ m G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, 1963 SLIDING CLOSURE HOPPER CLOSURE OUTLET ASSEMBLY INVENToR. ,ss N 660g@ lbf@ BY l #q/vv# 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 16, 1961 G. B. DoREY 3,100,457

SLIDING cLosURE HOPPER cLosuRE OUTLET ASSEMBLY Aug. 13, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 16, 1961 G. B. DOREY Aug. 13, 1963 SLIDING CLOSURE HOPPER CLOSURE OUTLET ASSEMBLY Filed March 16. 1961 G Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. (fearlgel Dar@ BY United States Patent O SLlDlNG CLOSURE HPPER CLOSURE OUTLET This invention relates to an improved dischar-ge outlet structure for a hopper and relates more specifically to that type of hopper having a discharge opening with a movable gate `for controlling discharge of lading such as largely employed for railway hopper cars 4.and the like.

The inven-tion is by way of an improvement on the conventional type of outlet having `a sliding -gate mounted to slide on horizontally disposed ledges lying in the `discharge area. In such structures there is a tendency toward retention of lading on the ledges and, owing to diliiculties experienced in effecting proper cleaning of the gates and associated ledges, residual ladinggenerally becomes packed and hardened. The hardened lading hinders the operation of the `gate `and results in delays and costl',l cleaning problems arise which penalize consignors and consignees. Furthermore, the lfrictional resistance incurred when dragging a sliding gate over trackways renders such a system useless with soft metal, such as aluminum.

The instant invention contemplates an improved structure wherein rollers are substituted for the sliding surfaces and wherein lading retaining supporting ledges are `largely eliminated trom Ithe discharge area and disposed exteriorly of the opening to support the gate rat its overhanging end exteriorly of the discharge area. The improvement further contemplates a structure wherein a gate is mounted for tilting movement with mechanism allowing lor oscillating movements of the .gate for loosening residual lading on the gate as it is moved to closed position.

The objects of the invention among others are: To provide anti-friction rollers on the Igate :and cooperating trackways for the rollers located beyond the discharge opening; to provide `anti-friction rollers adjacent one end ofthe `discharge opening on which the gate is arranged to have tilting movement; -to provide a combination sliding and tilting gate with means Vfor controllingthe tilting movement of said gate; to provide a link operated ymovable gate with supporting rollers coaxially located with reference to the pivotal yaxis of the linkage connecting the linkage and gate; to provide an operating shaft having radially extend-ing arms and linkage connecting the arms and gate and operable to swing the connected end of the :gate over and beyond the shaft; to provide a novel mechanical movement Ifor retaining the linkage in folded relation with an operating shaft during rotation of the latter in a direction to close the gate; to provide open ended bearings tor receiving an operating shaft when assembled with associated linkages to a gate; and to provide an improved sealing and locking member for retaining an operating shaft in fully toggled relation with a gate.

The invention further resides in certain details of construction `and reiinement of parts such as pointed out in the specification and shown on the drawings.

For comprehension of the invention reference may be had to Ithe accompanying drawings wherein the improvement is shown :as applied to the lower portion of a load containing hopper.

ln said drawings, i

FIG. l is `a side elevational view of the lower portion of a `load containing hopper showing the improved outle-t structure :applied thereto, said view showing the gate in closed position and the operating handle being omitted.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 with the hopper door sheets and shaft operating handle omitted `and certain parts broken away to illustrate better the construction.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of FlG. l as viewed from right to left. y

FIG. 4 is a ver-tical longitudinal sectional viewtaken on a line 4 4 lof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 4 except that the :gate is shown in opened position.

FIG. 6 is Ia vertical longitudinal sectional View similar to FIG. 4 Vexcept that the gate is shown with its leading edge withdrawn from its elevated position and its supporting brackets.

FIG. 7 is a ver-tical longitudinal sectional view similar to FIGS. 4, 5 :and 6 except that the gate is shown in position prior to the initiation of its major tilting movement.

FIG. 8 is Ia vertical longitudinal sectional View similar to FIGS. 4 `and 7 inclusive except that the gate is shown in substantially its maximum tilted position.

FlG. 9 is `a vertical transverse sectional view taken on a `line 9 9 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a detached plan view of the gate and operating mechanism in assembled relation.

FIG.A 111 is a vertical longitudinal sectional side view ofthe assembly shown in FIG. 1G' and taken along the line 11-11 thereof.

FIG. 12 is a fractional vertical sectional view taken on a line 12-12 of FIG. 3.

In said drawings, `10' indicates a four sided hopper formed in part by oppositely sloping longitudinally extending walls 11 and i12 which meet with oppositely extending transversely extending walls 13 and 14 -to form the four sides of the hopper. The said four -walls lead to la discharge area 15 which is closed by a movable gate 411S as will be described.

The lower portion of the hopper 10- is surrounded by va frame structure 17 which is Iformed in part by side walls members 18 and 19 which meet at one end of the discharge area 1'5 with a transverse member 20 and at the opposite end of the discharge area with upper and lower transversely extending members indicated at 21 and 22 respectively. The said members 21 and 22 are vertically yspaced to `form a slotted opening 23 therebetween `through which the gate y16 projects to extend beneath the wall 14 of the hopper 10.

The side members 18 and 19 each include a vertically extending wall section 24 lying outwardly of and adjacent the sides of the gate 16 andan upper sloping wall 25 overlying the related sloping walls of the hopper proper. Similarly the )transversely extending wall member 20 includes a vertically extending wall section 26` and an upper slopping wall 27 which overlies the slop-ping end wall 13 of the hopper. The sloping walls 25 of the iside members 18 and 19 and of the transverse end member 20 merge into sloping wall sections 28I which constitute roof like shields extending 'above the gate 16 when in closed position. The said side members 18 and 19 Iand transverse member 20 are provided with outwardly extending marginal reinforcing walls 29.

The upper transverse wall member 21 includes a section 30 that overlies the hopper wall 14 and, adjacent the bottom margin `ot wall 1.4, it is deiiected to present a lower section 31 sloping at a lesser angle than the hopper wall 14. Ihe lower section 311 yis reinforced by .an angle shaped member 32 having angularly related Walls 33 and 34 with wall 33 lying `against the under surface of 'wall section 311 and suitably Welded thereto. The adjacent wall 314 extends above the projecting end of the gate 16 when the latter is in closed position as seen in FIG. 4.

i The lower transverse end member 22, which extends beneath the gate 16, is preferably in the form of an inverted U having opplositely sloping -walls 36 and 37 connected on an arcuate bend 38l of substantial curvature.

seen in FIG. 2, to la location corresponding substantially to the end of the travel lof the gate 16 in an opening direction. The said members 41-41 loverlie the walls 24 for an appreciable distance and are inwardly deflected, .as indicated at 42-42, and said deilected ends are suitably welded tothe walls 24-24 and to the laterally extending reinforcing walls: 29-29 of the side wall members 18 and 19.

The gate 16 (FIGS. 1G and 11) is preferably formed of a plate 45 having one end flanged as at 46 and side `flanges 147-47 forming therewith a three sided pan shaped member. 'l`l1e flanged end of the gate is fitted with extension brackets 48-48 that are apertured for receiving ra rod 49 therethrough. The ends fof the rod 49 project bey-ond the sidesrof the gate 16. -A roller Si) is pivotally mounted on each said projecting end of the rod 49. 'Ihe brackets iS-4S extend beyond the end orf the gate 16 for au appreciable distance and the side flanges 47-47 are extended .to overlap said brackets 48-48 and are suitably welded thereto.

The gate 16 in its closed position slopes upwardly from its projecting end to lits leading end 51 and this condition is attained by elevating fthe leading end 51 of Ithe gate 516 las it approaches its closed position as seen in FIG. 4. Here the rupper inner corners 53 of the edges 54 of the side flanges 47 contact the under surface 55- of the roof like shielding wail 28 as best shown in FIG. `9. The marginal edges S4 of the side flanges 47 taper from the projecting end to the leading end 51 of the gate 16 a lsutlicient extent to dispose them along a horizontal level and close sealing engagement with .the under surface 55 when the leading end 51 of the gate 16 is elevated.

The leading end 51 of the gate 16, when in closed position as shown in FIG. ,4, seats on brackets 56--56 Vwhich have inclined runways 57--57 leading to seats SS-SS. 'Iihe said runways 57--57 ease the leading end 51 of the gate 16 upwardly into seating engagement with -the seats 58-58 as the final closing movement of the gate is reached. The trailing `or projecting end of the gate 16, when closed position, is carried by rollers 50 in cooperation with the upper and lower trackways 59--59 and '6060, said trackways extending inwardly laterally from the side extension members 41. FI`he lgate 16, when its leading end 51 is released yfrom its elevated position (FIG. `6) then bears :on the rollers 4@ and due to the distribution of the loading on the overhanging portion thereof, tilts downwardly Vabout the pivotal axis of rollers 40, thereby exerting an upward thrust on the projecting end of the gate Ai6. The upward thrust of the projecting end of the gate 16 is arrested `by upper trackways 59-59 cooperation with the rollers 5t) which, as be understood, coaot with the undersnrface of the trackways 59-59 to control vertical displacement of the gate 16. The lower tnaokways 6tl--60 become effective to support the projecting end of the gate 16 thereon during the gate closing operationwhen the mechanism imparts a downward thrust to the rollers 50.

The means for moving the gate 16 and controlling its tilting movement in cooperation with the trackways l59--59 and `60m-60 includes a rotatable shaft 62 journaled yin bearings 63--63 disposed adjacent the outer ends of the side extensions `41--41. The shaft 62 inoludes radially extending 'arms 64 which preferably oonsist of ilat bars suitably welded thereto to form therewith an integrated structure. 1y connect at' one end: withl the arms 64-64 and vpiv- Linkages 67-67 pivotal! d otally connect tat the opposite end with the brackets i-48 through fthe medium of the rod 49. Y

The linkages 67 each consist of a pair of plates 63-68 which straddle the arm 64-64 and the lugs 48-48. Connection between the arms 64I-64 and the plates 67 67 is carried out through the medium of pivot pins 69-,69 which are retained in position by suitable welding at each end. Each pair of link plates 68-68 are further maintained in spaced relation by suitable welding to the rod 49.

The shaft 62 with its radial arms 64-64 is arranged for assembly with the gate 16, YFIGS. and 1l, prior l to its installation in the Aframe structure 17 and to this end `each bearing l63, FIG. l2, presents an open end to permit ready installation yor removal of t-hegate assembly. Each bearing 63 preferably consists of a plate bent into a U-shape with a semi-circularly shaped end portion 72 merging into upper and lower ilat wall sections 73` and 74. rrllhe .bearings 63-63 areapplied to the frame structure 17 by suitably welding the same to the extension plates y41. v The shaft 62 is held in position in the bearings 63-63 by blocking members 76 which are formed with an arcuate tface 77 for registering with the acruate surface of the shaft 62. The blocking members76-76 arel retained in place yby suitable cotter pins 73-78 which .extend :through the upper and lower ilat wall sections 73 and 74. YThe shaft 62 is provided at one end with an operating head or handle 79 having a pair of opposed `openings 80 for the reception of an operating bar 81.

The gate 16 is retained in closed position by the arms 64-64 andlinkages `67-6'7 which straighten out and swing slightly over a vdead center line S2 connecting the axes of shaft 62 and rod 49, as will be observed by reference to FIG. 4, to a toggle locked position. To

positively retain the mechanism in its toggle locked position there is provi-dedra lug 83 suitably welded to the shaft 62 and cooperable therewith is a pawl 85. The pawl 85 preferably consists of a plate like member sandwiched between a pair of .bracket plates 86-86, FIG. 2, and pivotally connected thereto by pivot pin 87 which extends at substantially a right angle to the shaft 62 thereby forming a stop preventing rotation thereof.

The bracket plates 86-86 are suitably welded toV andV extend laterally outwardly from the adjacent side extension member 41. The lugs 83 and pawl 85 are provided with apertures l88 and 89, as shown in FIG. 3,'Which are arranged to be brought into registering relation for the the accommodation of a sealing ribbon 90..

The mounting of the rollers 4G is preferably through the medium tof a rod 91 which is rotatably mounted to extend at its ends through the vertical wall sections 24-24 of the [frame structure 17 and through the extension wall members 41-41. The rod 91 -is maintained against axial displacement by stop plates 92--92 welded to the walls 29.

The shaft 62 is maintained in axial alignment inits bearings 63 in one zdirection by the lug 83 and in the opposite direction by a head 93.

T-he upper trackways 59-59 includes arcuate extensions 94-94 having arcuate under surfaces 95--95 conwhich overlie and are suitably welded to the end porl tions yof the arcuate extension 94 associated therewith. The frame structure 17 is tied crosswise by means of an angle shaped member 96 which also constitutes a stop for limiting movement of the arms 64-64 when the gate 16 is in closed position.

Grooves 97 and 98 are provided on the underside of the iframe structure 17 for receiving a discharge chute (not shown). 'Phe groove 97 is formed between the underside of one of the walls 29 and a plate 99, FIG. `9, spacedtherefrom while the groove 98 is formed between the underside of the wall 36 anda ilange of an angle shaped member 100, FIG. 8, suitably welded to the wall36.

The operation of the mechanism and the advantages thereof may be best realized by considering the sequence of movement involved in one opening and closing closing cycle of the gate 16. Assuming the gate -16 in ctlosed position Iwith the arms 64-64 and linkages 67-67 in straightened toggle locked position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pawl 85 is swung to an overbalance released position as indicated by conventional dot and dash `lines in FIG. 3. The operator inserts the bar 81 in one of the sockets 80 of the operating head 79 and by a partial rotation of the shaft 62 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, effects a break in the toggle locked relation of the arms `64-64 and linkages 67-67. Continued rotation of the shaft 62 in the indicated direction moves the gate 16 a sufficient distance to dislodge the leading end 51 from the seats 58--58 and allows it to drop away from the lading to the position shown in FIG. 6. The gate 16 then balances on the carrying rollers 40-40 and swings the projecting end upwardly with the lgate rollers 50-50 in contact with the nnder surfaces of the npper trackways 59---59 Upon further rotation of the shaft 62 the gate A16 moves outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane until such time as the linkages I67---67 yfold to seat on the shaft 62 as seen in FIG. .7. With the linkages 67--67 seated on the shaft 62 they and arms `64--64 now operate as radial arms as the clockwise rotation of t-he shaft 62 continues. 'lhe connected end of the gate 16 is swung upwardly in an arcuate path, meanwhile tilting around the supporting rollers 40-40 as seen in FIG. 8 with the rollers 50-50 engaging and being guided by arcuate surfaces 95-95 on the arcuate extensions 94--94. As the rotation of the shaft 62 continues, the connected end of the .gate 16 is swung over and across the plane of the shaft 62 to rest thereon in fully opened position, FIG. 5.

The closing operation of the gate is a reversal of the opening movement with the rollers 50-50 contacting the under surfaces 95-95 of the arcuate extensions 94-94 to maintain the linka-ges in folded vrelation unt-il such time as the gate 16 :again assumes the substantially horizontal posit-ion, FIG. 7, and thereafter the said rollers 50-50 roll `along the lower trackways 60--6'0.

The up and down movement of the projecting end of the gate 16 as it is moved across the plane of the shaft 62 jars the gate 16 to sh-ake loose any residual lading adhering thereto.

What is -claimed as new is:

1. In combination:

(a) an outlet assembly for a hopper having a discharge opening and a movable gate for said opening,

(b) means mounting said gate on said outlet assembly for translatory movement from and to closed position,

(c) means for moving said gate in a closing direction and an opening direction including a shaft rotatably mounted on said outlet assembly in llateral spaced relation to said gate when closed and below its path of movement and having radially extending arm means and linkage pivotally connected at one end to said arm means and at the opposite end to said gate,

(d) said linkage being foldab-le to seat on said shaft and rotatable therewith to lift the end connected to said gate over and beyond said shaft upon rotation of said sh-aft .to open said gate, and

(e) means -for retaining said linkage in folded relation on said shaft during rotation of said shaft -to move said Igate ifrom open position toward closed position comprising trackway means on said outlet assembly concentrically Idisposed with respect to .the axis of rotation of said shaft for reacting against said linkage at the end of said gate to which said Ilinkage is connected.

2. The invention as set `forth in claim 1, wherein the arm means includes a pair of arms in spaced relation on the shaft, the linkage includes link means individual to each arm, and the reaction of the trackway means is through the pivotal connections between the link means and the gate.

3. |In combination:

(a) a hopper having a discharge opening `and a slidable and tilting gate for said opening,

(b) a frame structure mounted on said hopper bordering said opening and including 4upper and lower sections disposed above .and below said gate respectively,

(c) said upper section having Walls overlying said hopper `and said lower sectio-n including side walls meeting with transversely extending walls to .form a four sided enclosure,

`(d) one end of said gate in its closed position extending over and .projecting beyond one of said transverse walls,

( e) supporting trackways Ifor said gate extend-ing lengthwise from said .frame structure outwardly beyond said one transverse wall,

(f) ,rollers carried by the projecting end of said gate and guided by said trackways,

(g) other rollers carried by said one transverse wall in spaced relation to the iirst named rollers and supporting said gate Ifor translatory and tilting movement, Iand (h) means for moving said gate rand controlling its .tilting movement including:

(l) -a shaft carried `by said iframe structure in lateral spaced relation to said gate when closed,

(2.) radi-ally ext-ending arms rigidly mounted in spaced relation on said sha-ft, and

(3) link-s pivotally connected at one end to said arms 4and at the other end to said projecting end of said gate,

(4) said .arms and links operating as toggles to maintain said gate in closed position.

4. In combination:

(a) an outlet assembly for a hopper having a discharge opening and a longitudinally movable gate yfor said opening,

(b) means on said out-let assembly supporting said gate for movement between closed and open positions,

(c) said gate in closed position projecting at one end beyond said opening,

(d) support means extending laterally from opposite sides of said hopper beyond said one end of said gate in closed position,

(e) bearings supported on :the distal end-s of said support means,

(f) a shaft journaled in said bearings,

(g) arms extending radially said shaft in spaced relation,

( h) linkage pivotally interconnecting said arms and said projecting end of said gate with the pivot axis between said arms and said -linka-ge passing through the path of movement of said gate during .a portion of its movement between open land closed positions,

() said bearings being open at one side to permit side- Wise insertion and removal of said sha-lit when in assembled relation with said gate, .and

(j) blocking means closing off the open sides of said bearings.

5. I'he invention as set Ifor-th in claim 4, wherein the blocking means include blocking members having concave bearing faces overlying the arcuate surface of the shaft.

6.` The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein the trackways have sections .concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft, and the rollers References Cited in the le of this p atent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rettig Aug. 1, 17893 Kramer Aug. 30, 1898 Stevenson Aug. 15, 1905 Coleman July 18, 1911 Hart et al. Dec. 29, 1914 `Svsson June 14, 1932 Sheesley Sept. 20, 1949V =Dorey Nov. 11, 1958 Doi-ey Dec. v1, 1959 Ingram et `a1 Dec. 6, 1960 Lindstrom June 20, 1961 

1. IN COMBINATION: (A) AN OUTLET ASSEMBLY FOR A HOPPER HAVING A DISCHARGE OPENING AND A MOVABLE GATE FOR SAID OPENING, (B) MEANS MOUNTING SAID GATE ON SAID OUTLET ASSEMBLY FOR TRANSLATORY MOVEMENT FROM AND TO CLOSED POSITION, (C) MEANS FOR MOVING SAID GATE IN A CLOSING DIRECTION AND AN OPENING DIRECTION INCLUDING A SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID OUTLET ASSEMBLY IN LATERAL SPACED RELATION TO SAID GATE WHEN CLOSED AND BELOW ITS PATH OF MOVEMENT AND HAVING RADIALLY EXTENDING ARM MEANS AND LINKAGE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID ARM MEANS AND AT THE OPPOSITE END TO SAID GATE, (D) SAID LINKAGE BEING FOLDABLE TO SEAT ON SAID SHAFT AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH TO LIFT THE END CONNECTED TO SAID GATE OVER AND BEYOND SAID SHAFT UPON ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT TO OPEN SAID GATE, AND (E) MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID LINKAGE IN FOLDED RELATION ON SAID SHAFT DURING ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT TO MOVE SAID GATE FROM OPEN POSITION TOWARD CLOSED POSITION COMPRISING TRACKWAY MEANS ON SAID OUTLET ASSEMBLY CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT FOR REACTING AGAINST SAID LINKAGE AT THE END OF SAID GATE TO WHICH SAID LINKAGE IS CONNECTED. 